Qantas Platinum One experiences?

[RichardMEL]

Flew ADL-MEL yesterday in J.

First time in forever CSM came through and greeted status pax that I could tell. I think couple in row 1 were either Gold or Plat. He came to me and talked over the upgraded young lady next to me(no idea if she had status or not but she wasn't addressed. and didn't appear to be staff) "Welcome back Mr MEL. As one of our most valued Platinum One members it's good to have you with us again. Is this your first flight for the year?" (no) etc

He also disappeared back to Y so there must have been some status folks there.

While I am happy enough with the effort, again I find it embarassing to be addressed with my status. One only thinks what kind of w**ker the people around me thought I was with this greeting.

That's just me though. I know a lot of people value it.

Sidenote this was one of the quickest flights ADL-MEL I've been on at 53min flight time, the CSM made a massive effort to serve a meal and drinks to the 6/8 pax in J (interestingly the upgraded young lady was sat next to me, while the person accross in 2F had nobody but did not appear to have status.. you'd think they'd try and leave the seat next to a P1 free, but that's so minor on such a short flight). Anyway kudos to getting a real service out in such a short time as there was about 7 or so minutes of medium turbulence out of ADL that also restricted service.

I just drank some wine (they loaded Rieseling again, which is twice this year so far)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The mum had the infant (would be Just under two) and another child (about 6) the dad and grand mum were behind them in row 24.

So are you saying that the 'infant' in this case who gazumped you was really a toddler who didn't even fit into the actual bassinet anyway?

If that was the case there was no need to even give them row 23. A lot of parents ask for a bassinet even when they know their kid won't fit in it.

The polite thing to do would be to at least ask you first if you would mind, ensure that they blocked off 25B for you (if flight not full) and don't do it if the 'infant' is in fact a toddler and not a small baby.

 

[kermatu]

So J was full? You'd think they'd bump a P1 up if there was space.

disappointing

The one time I was moved back from row 4 to 5 (to accommodate a wheelchair-bound passenger) there was from memory 1 empty J seat as well as at least two QF staff members travelling in J (last to board, even after the wheelchair pax, two boarding passes in hand - the usual signs). I think any passenger moved from a preferred seat at the last minute could be offered a J seat or have a staff member move back to Y in such circumstances (where available) - but certainly for a P1. Whe I heard the beeps at the gate I thought my luck had changed - but no.

 

[RichardMEL]

This is where QF could do a better job with their premium (status) pax. Sure P1 SST do the odd proactive upgrade (I've had 2 in the last 6 months) Y-J on pretty empty J loaded domestic flights, and I've had a free upgrade when requesting a last minute ODU at SYD one time where the angel gave it to me gratis - I think mostly since the J lounge was closed at the time so they wanted to try and make up for that.

I've read stories elsewhere of, for example, CX downgrading staff from J to move a paying pax to a seat due to inpop IFE or power or something, and other airlines providing op ups to status pax at the gate - not just in oversold situations, but "just because"

I'm not suggesting it should be the norm, but you'd think common sense should kick in at some point and an agent think "OK we have this status pax in a prime seat.. we want to move them for a wheelchair pax or infant... either bump them to an equivalent seat (eg: another bulkhead/exit) or bump up.

Now of course at the gate things are crazy, people are busy and time is short, but given you're moving someone anyway how hard is it to see oh J has 2 seats, let's bump that P1 up to one of those?

I know it's a tough call, and some agents may be gunshy specially if they may get internally audited on such things (I don't know) but Goodness.. it would go a long way from "Sorry sir we need that bassinet position so we've moved you back 2 rows" to "I'm so sorry we needed your seat for some customers in need so we've found you a seat in Business to compensate for having to move you. Enjoy your flight!" - SPECIALLY on a longer sector like PER-east coast(or v.v.). Because those sorts of considerations are what generate and retain loyalty, while unilateral moving to a worse seat(without consultation) do the opposite.

IMHO.

 

[ReLoad]

So are you saying that the 'infant' in this case who gazumped you was really a toddler who didn't even fit into the actual bassinet anyway?

If that was the case there was no need to even give them row 23. A lot of parents ask for a bassinet even when they know their kid won't fit in it.

The polite thing to do would be to at least ask you first if you would mind, ensure that they blocked off 25B for you (if flight not full) and don't do it if the 'infant' is in fact a toddler and not a small baby.

Yes indeed, the toddler was way too big for the bassinet, but the bassinet was a great bag and kids toy holder!

Incidentally didn't get a hi from the csm, or anything on board.

The meal was awesome too! -not!


I've never rang and asked for a shadow block, feels silly to ring them all the time.

 

[boomy]

Flew ADL-MEL yesterday in J.

First time in forever CSM came through and greeted status pax that I could tell. I think couple in row 1 were either Gold or Plat. He came to me and talked over the upgraded young lady next to me(no idea if she had status or not but she wasn't addressed. and didn't appear to be staff) "Welcome back Mr MEL. As one of our most valued Platinum One members it's good to have you with us again. Is this your first flight for the year?" (no) etc

He also disappeared back to Y so there must have been some status folks there.

While I am happy enough with the effort, again I find it embarassing to be addressed with my status. One only thinks what kind of w**ker the people around me thought I was with this greeting.

That's just me though. I know a lot of people value it.

If anything, people around you would think you're FF or maybe know the CSM from previous flights, especially when you sit in J.

Greetings in Y are few and far between these days. I don't care about the pointless chitchat, it's a waste of everyone's time anyway but I do miss the first years of P1 when they used to offer water pre-departure and coffee/wine from J later.

Oh well, was good while it lasted.

 

[kermatu]

This is where QF could do a better job with their premium (status) pax. Sure P1 SST do the odd proactive upgrade (I've had 2 in the last 6 months) Y-J on pretty empty J loaded domestic flights, and I've had a free upgrade when requesting a last minute ODU at SYD one time where the angel gave it to me gratis - I think mostly since the J lounge was closed at the time so they wanted to try and make up for that.

I've read stories elsewhere of, for example, CX downgrading staff from J to move a paying pax to a seat due to inpop IFE or power or something, and other airlines providing op ups to status pax at the gate - not just in oversold situations, but "just because"

I'm not suggesting it should be the norm, but you'd think common sense should kick in at some point and an agent think "OK we have this status pax in a prime seat.. we want to move them for a wheelchair pax or infant... either bump them to an equivalent seat (eg: another bulkhead/exit) or bump up.

Now of course at the gate things are crazy, people are busy and time is short, but given you're moving someone anyway how hard is it to see oh J has 2 seats, let's bump that P1 up to one of those?

I know it's a tough call, and some agents may be gunshy specially if they may get internally audited on such things (I don't know) but Goodness.. it would go a long way from "Sorry sir we need that bassinet position so we've moved you back 2 rows" to "I'm so sorry we needed your seat for some customers in need so we've found you a seat in Business to compensate for having to move you. Enjoy your flight!" - SPECIALLY on a longer sector like PER-east coast(or v.v.). Because those sorts of considerations are what generate and retain loyalty, while unilateral moving to a worse seat(without consultation) do the opposite.

IMHO.

Completely agree. In my one scenario the gate crew seemed to be unaware of my status and only just became aware of the wheelchair passenger - I guess the crew have no idea until they themselves get to the gate. Given this it doesn't surprise me that no-one would think to re-seat someone in J in the hustle and bustle of boarding. Must all be system-driven changes so unless the CSM intervenes (onboard) I guess this will only change if there is a system change.

Special needs passengers or use of bassinet should be able to be booked in advance. If another passenger (especially one of your supposed most valuable ones) has to move then at least there'd be time for someone to think about can we offer this person something equivalent or better - or at least arrange for some acknowledgment of the inconvenience.

On the issue of requesting shadows - it is stupid but I do it for anything longer than a couple of hours or if the seats I have are fairly cramped. Have had a couple finally stick of late on flights that were otherwise full - so it can be worthwhile, albeit seemingly quite petty.

 

[kermatu]

If anything, people around you would think you're FF or maybe know the CSM from previous flights, especially when you sit in J.

Greetings in Y are few and far between these days. I don't care about the pointless chitchat, it's a waste of everyone's time anyway but I do miss the first years of P1 when they used to offer water pre-departure and coffee/wine from J later.

Oh well, was good while it lasted.

This still seems to happen on the trans-Tasman flights - but alcohol is free for Y pax there anyway. It was a good benefit on the longer domestic Y flights I agree, but I haven't received for quite some time (though have had the $6 charge waived for me a couple of times when I have gone to purchase a wine with lunch.)

 

[Canny man]

This still seems to happen on the trans-Tasman flights - but alcohol is free for Y pax there anyway. It was a good benefit on the longer domestic Y flights I agree, but I haven't received for quite some time (though have had the $6 charge waived for me a couple of times when I have gone to purchase a wine with lunch.)

I've experienced the waiver of the $6 a few times. It's a nice touch.

 

[Kangol]

Yes indeed, the toddler was way too big for the bassinet, but the bassinet was a great bag and kids toy holder!

That's terrible. Did you take a photo or video of the pax? Now I'm not jumping to conclusions, but one reasonable thought that comes to mind is that the pax is friends with a staff member. Do you suspect they were CL?

 

[RichardMEL]

The jetconnect crews seem to be a cut above - ironic given their wage status etc and treatment by QF.

 

[ReLoad]

If anything, people around you would think you're FF or maybe know the CSM from previous flights, especially when you sit in J.

Greetings in Y are few and far between these days. I don't care about the pointless chitchat, it's a waste of everyone's time anyway but I do miss the first years of P1 when they used to offer water pre-departure and coffee/wine from J later.

Oh well, was good while it lasted.

Yes the water and coffee/wine is certainly missed!!!

 

[JessicaTam]

The jetconnect crews seem to be a cut above - ironic given their wage status etc and treatment by QF.

I agree. My flight on Saturday was great. NC headphones already on my Y seat when I boarded and a very genuine welcome from the CSM before takeoff. And I am only a lowly WP.

 

[JohnPhelan]

While I am happy enough with the effort, again I find it embarassing to be addressed with my status. One only thinks what kind of w**ker the people around me thought I was with this greeting.

Could not agree more. For the same reason, I don't like the concept of being offered 'special' food, drink or amenities from a higher class - I think it's an awful look for those other pax around you. (And for the record - when I have been offered something in that circumstance, I've always said no).

 

[kermatu]

Could not agree more. For the same reason, I don't like the concept of being offered 'special' food, drink or amenities from a higher class - I think it's an awful look for those other pax around you. (And for the record - when I have been offered something in that circumstance, I've always said no).

I understand the view but I have a different experience. On my first P1 stint a couple of years ago on a flight to Cairns I had the CSM come back to me in row 5 I think shortly after takeoff and greet me / offer me anything to make the flight comfortable. I said a glass of wine with lunch would be nice. She brought one before lunch and had the Y cabin staff top it up with lunch. The guy next to me asked nicely about the good service I was getting so I told him this was a bonus way QF look after their higher status passengers. Not published but a nice touch. He was impressed and as a SG himself said that was good incentive to move up and stay loyal to QF. In this case it gave a positive impression.

If it sparks conversation I'm sure it would always be good PR for QF. But I can see that without explanation it may make some people speculate why someone is getting favourable treatment. And those who have paid for the higher class would also feel somewhat aggrieved.

Seemingly a moot point now!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Like getting a shadow and asking the person in C or D as i would occupy A or F and B or E are empty if the C or D occupier is an SG or higher member.
Sometimes though its nice being recognised by QF by giving a shadow, VA never gives me this.

 

[RichardMEL]

Like getting a shadow and asking the person in C or D as i would occupy A or F and B or E are empty if the C or D occupier is an SG or higher member.
Sometimes though its nice being recognised by QF by giving a shadow, VA never gives me this.

*sigh*

Sorry AP but I feel you are still confused by this whole shadow thing.

Convoluted explanations of middle seats (in Y) being empty, "shadows" are NOT published benefits of any status, but appear to be more prevelant at the Platinum and Platinum One levels. Having said that, they are far from guaranteed (I flew Y MEL-SYD recently in row 5 and non status people all around me).

The fact that you have had an empty seat by you a few times since you have been Gold is almost certainly more of a co-incidence than a given benefit of your status by QF.

As I expressed just above even as a P1, which is far above Gold in the pecking order, it is not guaranteed, and in J it's almost never the case.

I'm not trying to be mean, but you're making statements based on what I feel are incorrect assumptions

in my view anyway.

 

[boomy]

New year of flying started well with a surprise gate op-up thanks P1!



First time tried Qstreaming and it works well.
Next step onboard wifi...

 

[RichardMEL]

So that only came through at the gate? You checked in to Y previously?

I'm interested in that because it shows P1 was watching.

My personal experiences with P1 team messages and upgrades is they've come 24h out on fairly lightly loaded flights. Usually I would see my Y seat disappear from expert flyer and a new one taken in J right around the time online check-in opens as in the team has registered a P1 booking and made a call in a lightly loaded flight to push them up. I've had it twice last year and very very appreciated.

Still, between checking in (online, or at the airport) and the gate to be upped like this I count as unusual and extra good. If that's how it happened

 

[boomy]

Checked in online late at night and got new seat in the morning when scanned my card at the gate. The op-up happened outside P1 standard working hours so not sure how or why it was done. Both cabins were lightly loaded.